Abstract: Carbon aerogels with a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical porous network could be promising carbon-based materials for electrochemical energy storage systems because of their rapid electron/ion transport, remarkable physicochemical stability and excellent cycling performance. They have also been used to host electrochemical active materials (transition metal oxides/sulfides/phosphides) in pores to improve the electron conductivity and to buffer large volume changes. In this review, recent advances in their synthesis, functionalization/modification and use in alkali-metal ion batteries, either alone or as composites, are summarized. The challenges for future research on carbon aerogels are discussed and development opportunities are proposed.